Ukrainian authorities to set up Religious Organizations Council on Crimea

Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Photo: ATR

Olha Kuryshko, the Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, announced that at the request of religious communities, a Council of Religious Organizations will be established to operate as an advisory expert body, according to Suspilne.

The specific implementation of this idea is still under consideration, with various options being explored to ensure the functioning and support of such an organization.

“For example, one option is to create a working group under the already established Council on Cognitive Deoccupation, which operates within the Office of the President. This group would integrate well with the cognitive deoccupation efforts currently underway,” Kuryshko noted.

She highlighted that religious processes in Crimea are being viewed from the perspective of reintegration.

“Reintegration processes occur throughout, including through religious channels. We are discussing the restoration and ensuring our stable operations post-deoccupation, or mechanisms to protect representatives of religious communities who face oppression from the occupying state,” she emphasized.

Kuryhko revealed that the Office of the President in Crimea is currently focused on documenting and monitoring situations in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Additionally, Ukraine is approaching international bodies regarding violations occurring on the occupied peninsula.

“This includes violations related to property belonging to religious communities in the occupied territory. A recent example is the destruction of a religious site, a church in Yevpatoria. It was dismantled piece by piece. We are addressing such cases,” the official added.

As reported earlier, on July 21, an OCU church in Yevpatoria named in honor of the Most Pure Image of the Mother of God 'Burning Bush' was demolished.

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